Cover -- PREFACE -- CONTENTS -- FIGURES -- TABLES -- SUMMARY -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- ACRONYMS -- Chapter One -- INTRODUCTION -- BACKGROUND: CHARTER SCHOOLS NATIONALLY AND IN CALIFORNIA -- WHAT WE KNOW FROM PRIOR RESEARCH -- FOCUS OF THIS RESEARCH -- DATA SOURCES -- Primary Data -- Secondary Data -- HOW WE CATEGORIZED CHARTER SCHOOLS -- Conversion and Start-Up Charter Schools -- Classroom-Based and Nonclassroom-Based Charter Schools -- School Size -- Independent and Dependent Charter Schools -- LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY -- Data Limitations -- Budgetary and Time Constraints -- HOW THE REPORT IS ORGANIZED -- Chapter Two -- STUDENTS SERVED BY CHARTER SCHOOLS -- INTRODUCTION -- ACCESS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS -- Student Admissions Processes -- Focus of School Services -- CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS IN CHARTER SCHOOLS -- SCHOOL-BY-SCHOOL ANALYSIS -- SUMMARY -- Chapter Three -- ACADEMIC OUTCOMES -- INTRODUCTION -- SCHOOL-LEVEL PERFORMANCE -- STATEWIDE NONLONGITUDINALLY LINKED STUDENTLEVEL DATA -- LONGITUDINALLY LINKED STUDENT-LEVEL DATA -- COMPETITIVE EFFECT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS -- SUMMARY -- School-Level Analysis of API Scores -- Statewide Nonlongitudinal Student Data -- Longitudinally Linked Student Data -- Competitive Effects of Charter Schools -- Chapter Four -- AUTHORIZATION, GOVERNANCE, AND OVERSIGHT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS -- INTRODUCTION -- AUTHORIZATION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS -- Description of Chartering Authorities -- Development and Evaluation of Charter Petitions -- The Outcomes of Charter Petitions -- Closed or Revoked Charter Schools -- Denied Charter Petitions -- GOVERNANCE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS -- Dependent and Independent Charter Schools -- Legal Liability in Charter Schools -- Charter School Autonomy -- OVERSIGHT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS -- Characteristics of Chartering Authority Oversight of Charter Schools -- Chartering Authority Actions Toward Charter Schools.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY CHARTERING AUTHORITIES -- SUMMARY -- Authorization -- Governance -- Oversight -- Services -- Chapter Five -- CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCES AND FACILITIES -- INTRODUCTION -- CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING -- Meeting Legislative Requirements -- Participation in Categorical Aid Programs -- PRIVATE DONATIONS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS -- CHARTER SCHOOL EXPENDITURES -- FACILITIES -- OTHER FISCAL CHALLENGES -- SUMMARY -- Chapter Six -- ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENTS OF CHARTER AND CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- INTRODUCTION -- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT -- Chartering Authorities' Involvement in Professional Development -- Teacher Participation in Professional Development -- CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION -- Programs and Scheduling Modifications -- Courses and Academic Program Requirements -- Computers -- STUDENT TESTING -- PARENT INVOLVEMENT -- STUDENT DISCIPLINE -- SUMMARY -- Chapter Seven -- STAFFING IN CHARTER AND CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- INTRODUCTION -- THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TEACHERS -- Teaching Credentials -- Teaching Experience -- THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PRINCIPALS -- Credentials and Qualifications of Principals -- Administrative and Teaching Experience -- WORKING CONDITIONS AND COMPENSATION OF TEACHERS -- WORKING CONDITIONS AND COMPENSATION OF PRINCIPALS -- THE COMPOSITION OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF -- PRINCIPALS' USE AND PERCEPTIONS OF CONTROL -- SUMMARY -- Chapter Eight -- SPECIAL EDUCATION IN CHARTER AND CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- INTRODUCTION -- IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS -- SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE DELIVERY -- THE USE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AIDES -- INCLUSION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN ASSESSMENTS -- FUNDING AND PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCES -- SUMMARY -- Chapter Nine -- CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS -- INTRODUCTION -- FINDINGS -- STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT -- Accessibility -- Authorization, Governance, and Oversight.

Operation -- CHALLENGES -- RECOMMENDATIONS -- Appendix -- A. RESEARCH METHODS -- B. CHARTER AND CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPARISON METHODS -- C. ACADEMIC OUTCOMES -- D. SURVEYS ADMINISTERED FOR THE STUDY -- BIBLIOGRAPHY.